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November      Last updated: Nov 20,  5:00 p.m.

Editorial

The neighbour at large

TRUE to Taliban tradition, fireworks marked the completion of the first months of the military rule in Pakistan. The United Nations office and some buildings housing U.S. establishments came under heavy rocket attacks by terrorists in Islamabad. Though the attackers missed their targets narrowly, their message is not lost on the targets. The attack has come just two days before a UN deadline for the Taliban militia in Afghanistan to turn over one of the most wanted man in the US, Osama bin Laden, the terrorist. The loud and clear term the Taliban, in association with their new found blue eyed boy in Pakistan, has sent out an unmistakable warning signal to the US. By targetting the US embassy, American Centre, UN Information Service and World Food Programme, the Taliban and their hosts in Islamabad have shown contempt for anything American. Pakistan has already come under the UN firing line and there are enough causes for Pakistan to worry about. "This is quite serious" the Pakistani military Chief General Pervez Musharraf is said to have commented when he was told about the bombing. But what is more serious is the fact that on the question of terrorism Pakistan is no better or worse than the Taliban which has brought the neighbouring Afghanistan under the vice like terrorism. The old general is not a friend of democracy or freedom of any kind permissible in a democracy.

The general knows the price he would have to pay if he fails to keep the Taliban in good humour. He dare not curb their activities lest he meets the same fate as his predecessor whom he deposed a month ago. If on the other hand General Pervez tries to plead innocence and lays the blame for the terrorist attacks at the door of Taliban, he is not being much useful in countering the allegation against his country. Nor can he save his country's fate from being sealed in the international forum which have taken a strong view of the military rule there and its pranks. India is naturally watching the situation closely. We can also express our satisfaction over the successful attempt at getting the commonwealth disapprove of the acts of omissions and commissions of Pakistan. New Delhi is convinced that anything less than democracy will not bring closer ties between the two countries. General Musharraf's sweet talk on India have no takers either in Pakistan or elsewhere. The Commonwealth's collective disapproval of Pakistan has come as a shot in the arm for India and at a time when we are trying to convince the US about the futility of her advice to us on force reduction along the border. The recent terrorist attack on US establishments in Islamabad should be an eye opener to the West in general and the US in particular. Though Pakistan trumpted her so-called army withdrawal trans border--in effect it were part of the Pakistan army's winter exercise.

The Musharraf Government has given a free hand to the army and affiliated mercenary organisations to continue Pakistan's low cost high intensity proxy war in India in the post Kargil scenario. Already there have been five major attacks on Indian positions. India cannot but suspect the army ruler's bonafides as long as Pakistan allow anti-India militants to operate from bases in Pakistan. As events take place, the world is realising the extent of terrorism in Asia. India is no doubt putting up a valiant fight against the incidence of global terrorism. But the West cannot leave it to the targeted countries alone. Today terrorism is at their doorsteps too. The day is not far off when capitals the world over will be threatened by terrorism, especially of the Islamic variety. As Nigerian President observed we do not make any distinction between good military government and bad military government. For us, military government is bad, as a matter of principle and based on our experience.